Baseball Prepares For Midweek Matchup Against Elon

Tuesday, February 23

Chapel Hill, N.C.

3:30 PM

North Carolina

Elon University

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

February 22, 2021 | Baseball

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL – After sweeping its season-opening series against James Madison, North Carolina plays host to Elon at 3:30 p.m. at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium.

The Rundown
Opponent: Elon (1-2)
Dates: Feb. 22
Site: Chapel Hill (Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium)
First Pitch: 3:30 (EST)
TV: ACC Digital Network Extra
Listen: Click Here
Live Stats: Click Here

Pitching Matchups
LHP Will Sandy (0-0) vs. RHP Spencer Bauer (0-0)

Top Storylines
• Carolina completed a series sweep against James Madison on opening weekend. The Tar Heels scored 18 runs over the weekend compared to JMU's seven.
• Redshirt sophomore Austin Love was named ACC Pitcher of the Week after his season debut against James Madison on Feb. 19.
• The Salisbury, N.C., native made his first career start against the Dukes and impressed, as he threw 6.0 hitless innings which yielded nine punchouts, zero runs and two walks. His nine strikeouts tied his career high, a mark that he established against Dallas Baptist on Feb. 23, 2020.
• Caleb Roberts was remarkable over the weekend, ending the three-game slate 5-for-11 (.455) with two home runs, a double, a triple and eight RBI. He entered the weekend with zero career dingers and hit two on opening day.
• It was a strong opening weekend for the Tar Heel's rotation. Austin Love, Max Carlson and Max Alba combined to allow seven hits and four earned runs over 17 2/3 innings. They struck out 23 batters and walked four.
• North Carolina's transfers Justice Thompson and Brett Centracchio made an immediate impact during opening weekend. Thompson finished 5-for-12 with three RBI, two doubles and a home run while Centracchio recorded a hit in all three contests, which included a game-tying home run on Sunday.
• North Carolina was 12-7 a year ago. The Tar Heels started 6-0 with a series sweep against Middle Tennessee to open the year. After beating Elon, High Point and Dallas Baptist, the Tar Heels finished the year 6-7, including a 0-3 weekend against UNC's sole ACC competition, Notre Dame.
• For the first time since 1999, the Tar Heels are managed by a first-year skipper. Scott Forbes took the reigns from Mike Fox on Aug. 7, 2020, who wrapped up a legendary 22-year career at Carolina. He becomes just the fifth head coach of the Tar Heel baseball program since 1931. Forbes earned his first win on Friday evening when the Tar Heels routed JMU 8-1.
• The Tar Heels return every pitcher who saw the mound last season. Gianluca Dalatri, who missed the 2020 with an injury, was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals on June 14.
• Joey Lancellotti, who served as the Tar Heel's Friday night starter and pitched a team-high 24.1 innings, highlights the group. Coming off of a hip injury, he will be featured out of the bullpen to begin the season.
• The ACC's leader in hits in 2020 with 29, Angel Zarate returns to the Diamond Heels off of incredible run in the 19 games of 2020. He paced the team with a .408 average and ended the season on an 11-game hitting streak. Zarate reached base in all 19 games in 2020. It was the longest on-base streak by a Tar Heel to start a season since Logan Warmoth opened 2017 with a 26-game streak.